My first visit to Hendon

re

Thinking of my last post, I understand that the idea was to choose a/c that were eye catching to the public, and yes, the TT schemed Tempest and Hawker Hart certainly fit in. However the KI46 is not in the least eye catching, and I cant see Black 6 being of interest to the average public, compared to the option, as has been mentioned, being displayed next to the Kittyhawk.

One of the stored Spitfires, in its post war colours would certainly have been eye catching, and I have no problem with replicas of rare a/c, but the plastic model on the door is beyond belief!

Far better the Mustang be rolled outside with re-enactors, and maybe have its engine run – what are kids going to learn from a revolving table? Pity the owner didnt donate it to the BBMF! In RAF markings it would be fantastic flying with the Dak.

I have to agree with you on this one but don’t you feel that it is a bit undignified being ‘shoved’ under the stairs?.

Yes, this photo says it all really –

Under the stairs and next to the lift. Very weird decision to put it there

When I was there, it was Elgars “Enigma Variations”. Fantastic music. And I agree, the hurricane wreck says it all.

That’s the one, Nimrod –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgoBb8m1eE

Steve

re

It was very dark in the Bomber Hall and in the BoB Hanger, but a steady hand and some longer exposure times, between 1 and 1/5 of a second lit it up a bit

Favourite bit? The Hurricane wreck recovered as it was found in 1973, together with they story of the pilot who bailed out too low and was killed before his parachute opened (last but one pic). Very emotional atmosphere as well, together with the classical music in the background. I’d don’t know what piece of music, but I’m fairly sure it was in an advert not long ago.

Steve

When I was there, it was Elgars “Enigma Variations”. Fantastic music. And I agree, the hurricane wreck says it all.

The mof hangar looks better now, when I went it was nearly empty, I object that many of the a/c in there are not milestones at all, come on, where is the Hurricane, A meteor, a lightning? What is ground breaking about a Japanese Ki46?

Favourite bit? The Hurricane wreck recovered as it was found in 1973, together with they story of the pilot who bailed out too low and was killed before his parachute opened (last but one pic). Very emotional atmosphere as well, together with the classical music in the background. I’d don’t know what piece of music, but I’m fairly sure it was in an advert not long ago.

Steve

I have to agree with you on this one but don’t you feel that it is a bit undignified being ‘shoved’ under the stairs?.

Could have been a bit bettor displayed IMHO.

Regards,

John.

The real problem is that it’s UNDER MANAGED

Interesting…how do you come by that conclusion?

I cant make my mind up on my faivourite part or aircraft. It changed so often on my tour. So many things I have not seen before. Shame about the Valient, but a good excuse to go to the `Cold War Exibition` at cosford.

Some of my faourites –

One of a kind. (why did we need to get one from America !)


ME 110 and JU88 two more to tick of my list. Amazing just amazing !

Worst pic ever, but its the only way to make it vissable. Point and click camera.

It was very dark in the Bomber Hall and in the BoB Hanger, but a steady hand and some longer exposure times, between 1 and 1/5 of a second lit it up a bit

Favourite bit? The Hurricane wreck recovered as it was found in 1973, together with they story of the pilot who bailed out too low and was killed before his parachute opened (last but one pic). Very emotional atmosphere as well, together with the classical music in the background. I’d don’t know what piece of music, but I’m fairly sure it was in an advert not long ago.

Steve

No problem wcfcfan.

Looks like you found the light switch. 🙂

Another museum that polarizes opinions, I think sometimes we take collections like this for granted.
My only gripe with this place is the massive under lighting in the Battle of Britain hall.

Don’t want to hijack your thread benyboy, so I hope you don’t mind me adding some from my first visit, today.

BTW, I like your shot of the ‘109 reflected on the glass table top

Steve

Just the one. Not realy my kind of thing.

I was to distracted by this beast opposite. Another first for me.

Did you get a photo of their fantastic Bristol F2B Fighter? Surely the best static ‘Biff’ in the world, in my opinion

What a jumbled mess! Looks like some demented schoolboy’s bedroom. Not sure that airframes are best displayed hanging by threads from the ceiling – the Lightning at Cosford being one example.

Anyway, surely everyone knows that Hendon is basically a shop with a few aircraft added in for interest.

😡

I can see your point LesB:) I am also not a fan of aircraft hanging from wires either. There is obviously not the room to stand every exhibit on its own undercarriage, but some of the arranging does leave a lot to be desired.

However, saying that, it still is quite a good place to go to every now and then. I recently took a couple of friends there, one had not visited since he was ten years old (Thirty years) and the other had never visted at all. Both came away with very good impressions of the museum.
I think we who do visit regulary, do tend to criticise a tad more than others! It’s like rearranging your tool cupboard or something like that, you feel the need to look at things a different way.

As for the general visiting public, I think they see it a little different than us. Judging by some of the comments overheard in the (yes, overpriced) cafeteria, joe public thought it was a good museum with much to see and appreciate.

I think the shop at Hendon is very low key and didnt seem to hit the visitor in the face.I like that better from a personal point of view than the myriads of stalls at Duxford on a legends day, with the over repeated merchandise. IMHO people there seem to be interested in the stalls rather than the aircraft, whereas at Hendon the aircraft and varius displays are the more important factor for a vistor.
Oh, and the Model T, it was parked in the Graham-White building on the ground floor.. and not strung up Kev;)

Glad you enjoyed your visit benyboy:)

A few more.


I know this aircraft can cause some differences in opinion here but I think it is one of the best exibits in the whole museum.
( I have tried my best to make these pics a bit lighter)

What a jumbled mess! Looks like some demented schoolboy’s bedroom. Not sure that airframes are best displayed hanging by threads from the ceiling – the Lightning at Cosford being one example.

Anyway, surely everyone knows that Hendon is basically a shop with a few aircraft added in for interest.

😡

Hi All,

I agree with all the comments about Hendon being a great museum; however it is nothing less than a national disgrace that a national museum is so under staffed(for under staffed read under funded) that parts of it are only open for restricted periods.

EG

Great museum, shame about the lighting in most of it though.

And the fact the Grahame white hangar seems to be the holy grail of visitors to get in as was the upstairs gallery last time i went?

But well worth a visit despite these minor points.

curlyboy

Hi Rlangham. I did not make it there untill mid afternoon so missed out on that. Though I must admit I was there for the heavy metal. Typoon and Tempest were the high light of the visit along with a few others I ticked of the `want to see` list.

As for the model T, I dont remeber seeing it.

Nice Zeypher though.

…….Also, did you spot the Ford Model T Hucks Starter around the museum anywhere?

It’s probably hanging from a ceiling somewhere.

Regards,

kev35

Despite the numerable faults, Hendon does have an absolutely fantastic collection, and despite the fact i’ve just moved out of the area, i’m looking forward to a return visit. Were you lucky enough to visit the Claude Grahame-White hangar before it closed at midday? Also, did you spot the Ford Model T Hucks Starter around the museum anywhere?